It’s Barbie’s World, We’re Just Living In It!

With the rapid advancement of technology and social media at a pace we’ve never seen before, the trend cycle has accelerated to last only a few weeks for each new fad. So why has Barbiecore lasted so long despite this constantly changing hype cycle? The start of Barbiecore can be traced back to 2019, if not earlier, with runway shows boasting a hot pink transition away from the unfortunate “millennial pink” led by designers such as Collina Strada, Marc Jacobs, and Comme des Garçons.

It also incorporates aspects of other recent trends, like the resurgence of Y2K styles and maximalist dopamine dressing following the devastation of the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, Barbiecore unmistakably seeks its biggest inspiration from Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, since photos of Margot Robbie on set spread across the internet last summer. Valentino’s F/W 22 collection also hugely influenced this trend, as they rebranded from their previous deep red to a fresh, bright magenta, causing a viral frenzy on social media.

What stands out about Barbiecore in 2023 compared to previous years is the inclusivity and creative interpretations that have been uplifted across the internet and social media. Barbie is no longer reduced to her/their traditional Eurocentric beauty standards, now diverse individual looks are being embraced wholeheartedly. This has been maintained by the new movie’s cast, with actors such as Ncuti Gatwa, Hari Nef, Simu Liu, and many more starring as different Barbies and Kens. Simu Liu spoke to Vanity Fair on the deeper themes of the movie, saying “It’s really about finding your inner beauty and owning that part of yourself and being the best possible version of you”.

Another contributor to the shortened lifespan of trend cycles has been the search for uniqueness, as people explore creative expression through clothing as a way to differentiate themselves. Once they see a new trend they like, they grow tired of the former and continue exploring. Barbiecore has outlasted its fellow trends for years because it has something for everyone and leaves room for individual expression - one of the most empowering traits of Barbie’s character is that she can be anything: a president, a doctor, an astronaut, a physicist, even a mermaid. These Barbie personas have inspired the emergence of other Barbicore spinoff trends, melding other aesthetics with Barbiecore for very clear-cut looks that reflect the different dolls, such as Mermaid Barbie and Cowboy Ken. Blumarine’s recent shows give us Barbie Mermaid realness, with draped silhouettes that feature dramatic flyaways and ruffles reminiscent of the ocean. Runway shows from DSquared2 and Casablanca show off their takes on American Western wear, poking fun with ironic styles that deliver hints of Barbiecore - such as a pink bedazzled dress and femme graphic cami.

Barbiecore is more than just the resurgence of pink; it embraces hyper-femininity and turns it on its head as a rebellion against outdated ideas that to be feminine is to be fragile and helpless. While Y2K styles are back, the romanticized era of feminine pink and cyber-obsessed futurism was exclusive to those who fit the traditional image of Barbie: white, skinny, and blonde. Today’s idea of Barbie encourages everyone to embrace Barbiecore, seeking inspiration from queer culture as the trailblazers of unique expression regardless of gender identity, size, race, or sexual orientation, so everyone can join in on the fun.